Critics have been quick to point out that a “steel” bow in Nephi’s day is anachronistic – carbonized steel is not believed to have existed in Nephi’s day so this proves that Joseph smith was a fraud.

In this podcast Brother Ash talks about how the Bible mentions “steel” bows and Dr. William Hamblin (an expert in ancient Near Eastern history) explains that “the metal is apparently called ‘steel’ in the KJV because bronze is ‘steeled’ (strengthened) copper through alloying it with tin or through some other process.”

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

When we examine the territory likely traversed by the Lehites we find an interesting match for the Book of Mormons Shazer. Wadi Agharr is about 60 miles southeast from the likely location of the Valley of Lemuel and is described by non-LDS scholars as an oasis more than 15 miles long.

In this podcast brother Ash relates how the Frankincense Trail may have provided the fertile valley in this area with surrounding mountains that presented the best hunting opportunities along the trail.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

Dr. Hugh Nibley has observed, the word “compass” has two basic meanings; 1) to move together – always referring to a pair of things in motion; 2) to enclose, embrace, step completely, circle or round. This second definition refers to the motion of making a circle. Either way, the “compass” could correctly refer to the Liahona because of it’s round (ball) shape or the motion of the arrows.

In this podcast Michael R. Ash relates the workings of the Liahona as prepared by the Lord for Lehi’s family as they pursued their journey to the promised land.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

As we begin our final discussion about the tee of life and the Book of Mormon, I quote the words of C. Wilfred Griggs, professor of ancient scripture: “The Book of Mormon brought the tree of life to our attention long before modern scholarship revealed how common the tree was in ancient history. The symbol of that tree pervades the art and literature of every Mediterranean culture from centuries before the time of Lehi until well after the time of Moroni. This fact, and the fact that Lehi and Nephi portrayed the spiritual meaning of that symbol much the same way other ancient cultures portrayed it, demonstrates that the Book of Mormon is an ancient text, not an invention of the 19th-century social milieu.”

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

Brother Ned returns to his podcast after recovering from what he refers to as “minor heart surgery.” In this episode he talks about how our health, both physical and mental can affect our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our relationships. Having lived with clinical depression for most of his adult life he is well acquainted with this affection and the suffering this serious condition can cause.

In the October 2013 general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints brother Jeffery R. Holland of the quorum of the twelve apostles gave a talk titled “Like a broken Vessel.” Brother Scarisbrick bases much of this podcast on Elder Holland’s counsel given in this talk and the hope we have in God’s eternal love for all His children.

A basic explanation of cognitive behavioral therapy as talked about in this podcast can be found here.

As always the views and opinions expressed in this podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that or FairMormon.

Adam S. Miller who is a professor of philosophy at Collin College in McKinney, Texas and associated with the Maxwell Institute of the Brigham Young University is the author the book “Letters to a Young Mormon.” In this podcast Ned Scarisbrick interviews Adam Miller about this book and the impact it has on the rising generation.

“Letters to a Young Mormon frustrated me. Not that I didn’t like it, because I enjoyed it immensely. No, it frustrated me because I only wish I had had such a book to read when I was a 1960s teenager with racing mind and hormones. And perhaps more poignantly, I wish it had been available when my children were passing through those difficult and impressionable years. Letters to a Young Mormon is both tender and gentle, and at the same time provocative and intellectually stimulating. Its disarming honesty is only surpassed by the significance of its messages. I recommend it wholeheartedly, for young and old.”–Robert L. Millet, Professor of Religious Education, Brigham Young University

Martin Tanner who is the host of “Religion Today” on KSL FM 102.7 and AM 1160 interviews Hannah Smith who is senior counsel for the “Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.” In this episode Hannah Smith discusses the “Hobby Lobby” case that was recently decided by the Supreme Court of the United States and the implications of that decision on religious liberty among other issues. Hannah Smith will also be a contributing speaker at this years annual FairMormon conference in Provo Utah.

This broadcast originally aired on the 27th of July 2014.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast may not represent those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

In this episode Michael Ash illustrates the modern evidences concerning issues such as “steel” being used in ancient times. He also relates how the setting in one of Lehi dreams parallels those of an actual ancient Arabian landscape.

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon

Martin Tanner who is the host of “Religion Today” on KSL FM 102.7 and AM 1160 interviews Scott Gordon who is the president of FairMormon on the upcoming annual conference of FairMormon on the 7th and 8th of August. Brother Gordon talks about some of the speakers and the subjects that will be covered during this conference.

In the second section of this episode brother Tanner discusses the Joseph Smith papers and the detail that is available on this subject. The Joseph Smith papers is one of the many topics that will be addressed during the FairMormon conference this year.

This broadcast originally aired on the 20th of July 2014.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast may not represent those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon.

While encamped in the Valley of Lemuel, Lehi sent his sons back to Jerusalem to obtain their own religious record – the “plates of brass.” In this podcast Mike Ash discusses this event as recorded in the Book of Mormon along with recently discovered evidences that parallel such statements as “Laban and his fifty.”

Brother Ash is author of the book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt, as well as the book, of Faith and Reason: 80 Evidences Supporting the Prophet Joseph Smith. Both books are available for purchase online through the FairMormon Bookstore. Tell your friends about the Mormon Fair-Cast. Share a link on your Facebook page and help increase the popularity of the Mormon Fair-Cast by subscribing to this podcast in iTunes, and by rating it and writing a review.

The views and opinions expressed in the podcast may not reflect those of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or that of FairMormon